Smootharm - Leigh's commercial product.

[Leigh Wanstead]

Hi Job,

The weight capacity is for any camera less than 10kg for this model.

Regards
Leigh

One more thing. How much weight will it hold? There is no info about that. What if the thing snaps with an expensive camera on it? The will come to you. So, test it really good and make sure you tell the maximum weight.  To me it looks like it snaps with to much weight on it. But that is from a picture, so perhaps i am wrong

[Leigh Wanstead]

Hi constantine,

I really like you to download the video and watch it before you made those comments just by viewing the picture. That was the reason that I was relucant to post the photo. The device might looks shiny in the picture, but the video result shot by the stabilizer might not be good. I have the smaller video showing the result shot by my stabilizer here http://www.salenz.com/nfblog/?page_id=7

I own both domain www.salenz.com and www.smootharm.com

The video on www.salenz.com is my work.

Regards
Leigh

[constantine tirint]

Hello Leigh.
Listen man.
I have watched the bottle video and a few more.
Iam a quite experience op and also a mechanical guy that can repair and fuction most of the steadi equipment, I have studed a lot about the designs of arms and sleds inthe past and now.
I do not want to sound bitter in any case.
Some facts.
A long post like yours isnt a good thing when operating cause it gets in your way when on aneven terain or steps or quik running shots.
I dont have to watch a video to come in that conclussion I know it fro experience.
About the arm now.
As I said its a simple triangle.
It also doesnt compensate for level as a parallilograme does, but lets say thats ok you have a gimbal that does that and keep the sled level.
But hats just not very fuctional.
A long time ago you have asked for rools that make ultimate rig.
I have wrote to you  what is good to be there.
you have answered that its tooo expensive.
I have a different oppinion.
Look at glidecam V25.
it has that all.More expensive?
Yes I know.
You could make it though with less money.
I know I could anyway.
You have invasted as you say a lot of money in this bussiness.
R and D Should be more suries.
Originality is a good thing but your arm isnt so original as it stands for the most basik geo-phisik structute from the very start.
Maybe it hasnt been build thjat way befors but, if you look lets say at spring studies in this forum you can find this design in many cases.As a geometry  factor.
Do not get offended of all these and I will not write any more if you think its bad for your bussiness but its noway it will convince me as a new design  and being fuctional.
On the other hand Iam not  a hobby ist Iam a pro and maybe my expectasions are too high, but these days most companies come out with products close to that expectasions.
Take care

[Leigh Wanstead]

Hi constantine,

Thanks for the post.

Though I disagree what you said, but I will not argue with you about that.

Regards
Leigh

[michael stevenson]

Leigh,

1.) Before you read on try to remember I mean you no harm but this is going to be rough.

2.) I don't think my politcally correct colleages are doing you any favors by pulling their punches. So once again I have chosen to take this burdon upon myself.

3.) First of all let me state that your arrogance and unwillingness to listen to more knowledgeable folk will prove to be your ultimate undoing.

4.) I know you are trying to do this all by yourself but unfortunately from what I've seen that is not going to work.

5.) The rig, the website, the pictures, and the demo video has poor quality and amature written all over it. I would be amazed if you can sell even one unit.

6.) What you really need to do is go back to the drawing board and come up with a more viable product and listen to other people's ideas.

7.)  I would also suggest that you hire or enlist the help of a friend or colleague with better english skills to help you market your product.

8.) Trying to start a small business is like trying to push a turkey through your eye socket! Absolute pain and heartbreak in the beginning. And even after a year (if you are still in business) you will still be wondering why you are doing it and if you are crazy or something. I know because I'm going through the very same thing myself. I respect anyone who tries to do this and wish you well in your endeavors. At the same time I feel you need to hear the voice of a much harsher reality.

Michael 

[Trevor Crump]

Oh dear, I'm glad I don't make anything......

[MikkoWilson]

Leigh. You have guts posting your stuff of discussion here...

First off, the Marketing.
I haven't seen your video for reasons discussed. and also your site could use a bit of work, put teh pictures inline (and make them smaller too) and list a little more information. Nice write up why a stabilizer can help a business, but there's not much info on yoru rig on there. It seems as if you expect a coostumer to know what it is your rig does. As your rig is somewhat original, you can't even go on the basis that someone will know bsed on what other rigs do.

The design.
Vest. It *looks* good, and you appear to have some ingenios arm angle adjustments in there. - I'd lvoe a few more pics, show us the arm conneciton, and the back. hwo does the front close, etc?  What's it made out of? Don't look like CF or FG. Metal with leather on top maybe? What adjustments does it have? Either way, that part looks very good.

Arm. The minute I saw this I knew that you were goign to catch hell from a lot of people. Personally I think your arm is Clever.
No way is is going to be the "best" design by far. But as far as. A) supporting the camera and B) not tranfering shocks. I think it seems to do A fine. Not sure about B, but it's a sprung connection so it's not solid. It's going to take more form the operator to keep out "bounce". But is sure looks ecenomical to build. - Maybe build a more traditional arm next and offer it as an upgrade?

Sled.  First a popential safty issue. Your gimble appears to go all the way around the post. I'd be wary of a pinch point there especially as yrou gimbel also takes the arm's movements.
Otherwise the gimbel looks good. Post *could* be thicker at that length. But I dont' knwo what it's makde of and hwo thick it is, so a tough call. If it doesn't wobble, then you are set. The base is simplistic. nothign wrong with that. Is it possibel to shorten teh post enoguh to put a monitor and battery (heavy) on there? Is it possible to pull wires thorugh the post?
Your topstage looks nice and solid.

Overall I think you have a interesting looking rig, thoguh a little non tradational. Kuudos for beeing original, I hope it works. Unfortunatly your site doesn't (yet?) show us that it does work or how well. Get your marketing in order.

One other comment...
"[I could do much better myself for less]" Oh yeah? Where can I buy it? Give the man a break.

 - Mikko

[Jamie Glover]

I agree with all that Mikko said ^^^

Also how about some sort of black fabric cover for the spring like magiqcam ..

You have finished the rig now you have to finish the Marketing..

All the best with it..Try it on eBay

How about a logo 

[michael stevenson]

Wow  Jamie,

That's a beautiful Logo!

[Trevor Crump]

I agree, very Smooooooth logo

[Leigh Wanstead]

Thanks for the logo design

Regards
Leigh

How about a logo 

[Leigh Wanstead]

Thanks for everyone taking the time to give suggestion. I value all your comments.

Regards
Leigh

[Leigh Wanstead]

Hi Mikko,

Thanks for all your comments. I will think about it.

Regards
Leigh

[Trevor Crump]

Hi Leigh, not too sure how many qualified Steady opporators on this Island, but if you wish to ship one over to the 'Main Land" I would be happy to test and evaluate your rig for you.

[Leigh Wanstead]

Hi Trevor,

Thanks

You are really kind. 

I am not looking for third party review at the moment.

Regards
Leigh

Hi Leigh, not too sure how many qualified Steady opporators on this Island, but if you wish to ship one over to the 'Main Land" I would be happy to test and evaluate your rig for you.